Ottawa fire: 3 firefighters injured while battling blaze in Sandy Hill Thursday morning

One person was rescued from a burning building in Sandy Hill Thursday morning as firefighters battled a fire in a multi-unit building near the University of Ottawa.

Ottawa Fire Services say 9-1-1 operators received multiple calls just before 5:30 a.m. Thursday reporting thick black smoke and flames coming from a four-story, three-story building in the 100 block of Osgoode Street. The fire was initially reported on Sweetland Avenue.

“Firefighters arrived on scene 3 minutes after being dispatched to the call and reported smoke and flames coming from two of the residences,” Ottawa Fire said on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Firefighters battle a fire on Sweetland Avenue in Sandy Hill Thursday morning. (OFSFirePhoto/X)

“Firefighters began a rapid attack and advanced multiple hose lines into the structures.”

A photo released by the Ottawa Fire Service shows flames coming out of a second-floor window of the building. More than an hour after the fire broke out, smoke was still coming from the building.

Ottawa Fire says each home in the Osgoode Street building has about six units.

An Ottawa paramedic spokesperson told CTV News Ottawa that a man was taken to hospital with minor smoke inhalation.

Ottawa firefighters battle a fire on Sweetland Avenue in Sandy Hill Thursday morning. One occupant was rescued from the building. (Jim O’Grady/CTV News Ottawa)

Three firefighters fell through the floor while searching the second floor for people inside the structure. The three firefighters were checked on the scene by paramedics and released.

Hydro Ottawa says power has been cut to a total of 952 homes and businesses in Sandy Hill due to the fire.

In a midday update, Hydro Ottawa said power has been restored to most customers.

L’école élémentaire publique Francojeunesse is closed today due to the fire and a power outage.